As a footballer, Rafael van der Vaart was capable of spectacular moments. As a pundit, however, he seems interested only in making headlines with eye-catching statements.

The Netherlands kicked off their World Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw with Japan. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring before Keito Nakamura levelled things up. Crysencio Summerville then gave the Dutch a 2-1 lead before Daichi Kamada hit an 89th-minute equaliser.

After the match, Van der Vaart accused captain and goalscorer Van Dijk of turning ‘like a Boeing 747.’ Criticism like that is one thing, but his following comments about the Japanese players crossed the line, and the former Tottenham and Real Madrid man is now facing a huge backlash online.

Rafael van der Vaart Makes Offensive Claim About Japan Stars

As quoted by Goal, Van der Vaart took issue with Micky van de Ven’s efforts in the game. He began: I then became interested in Micky van de Ven’s role. He was close to Ogawa.

“He completely lost sight of him. You can see him running around. If you’re man-marking, you’re responsible for your man. It’s very difficult to pass it on to someone else… You see, he’s completely free. Van de Ven has disappeared. He can head the ball without any opposition.”

“A perfect corner is very difficult to defend,” he added. “This one had the right speed, just over the five-yard line. With a bit of luck, it would have gone in, but the corner was brilliant.”

Van der Vaart then made reference to a racist stereotype as he concluded his analysis, by suggesting that Van de Ven was confused by his opposition players:

When the comments appeared online, fans were quick to call them out as racist. One fan said:

Another added: “Oh man. It was such a good match, but now it leaves a really bad aftertaste all at once. Of course, I know that most Dutch people aren’t like this racist, but it’s just too disappointing.”

A third word: “I’ve always thought this guy’s got a rotten personality deep down so it’s no surprise that’s all…” Another said: “Van der Vaart’s totally messed up.” While someone else said: “Yea, that’s messed up”

One more summed up the feelings of many, writing:

A final fan concluded: “Oh he’s definitely going to lose his job.”

Tottenham are at risk of missing out on a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal this summer, as a rival to the midfielder’s signature has arrived on the scene.

Spurs are seemingly keen on a return for Palhinha, after the Portuguese star left quite the impression during his loan spell with the club over the past season.

While the side lacked plenty of quality in the central ranks, the 30-year-old brought grit and determination with his arrival from Bayern Munich, and plenty of ability out of possession.

The former Fulham man also threw in a couple of important goals during his time, helping Tottenham avoid relegation into the Championship on the final day of the campaign.

While there was a £26 million clause in Palhinha‘s deal, Spurs decided against triggering it, but reports claim that the side have been pushing to sign the midfielder at a reduced fee.

While that may seem like smart business, they are now at risk of missing out altogether.

Joao Palhinha Transfer Risk

via Reuters

While Tottenham have shown interest in a return for Palhinha, a report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims that another team are now in the mix for his signature.

It’s stated that Portuguese side Sporting CP are hoping to seal a return for the midfielder, who came through the club’s ranks and made just shy of 100 appearances with before leaving for the Premier League.

That deal comes as part of a wider transfer thread, as Atletico Madrid look to seal a move for Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand in their midfield.

Palhinha is viewed as the replacement for Hjulmand, creating a transfer domino effect that is starting to fall in favour of the midfielder returning to Portugal.

That means Tottenham are at risk of missing out on a player who has been described as “best in the world” and ‘one of the best’ by De Zerbi with his ability in the middle of the park.

It remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites will step up their transfer interest as a result, or whether they will regret not triggering the release clause in the original deal with Bayern Munich.

Tottenham Midfield Refresh

There is no denying that Palhinha was key to digging Tottenham out of the mess the club found itself in at the latter end of the season, hence why so many fans liked the passion and determination the midfielder showed.

However, his role in the struggle Spurs faced cannot be removed from the campaign as a result, as he also played a part in the issues the team faced.

On the ball, Palhinha wasn’t as comfortable building from the back, with De Zerbi often shifting him into the full-back areas when in settled possession.

His off the ball quality could be useful, but Tottenham need a full midfield refresh with players who offer more quality when receiving the ball from the backline.

Losing Palhinha could be a blow in one area, but a chance to rebuild the squad in another way, one that focuses less on athleticism and more on quality.

Enzo Fernandez enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the tournament’s top players, one of Argentina’s most crucial cogs, and as a defending champion.

The World Cup 2022 was a transformative one for the midfielder; a relative unknown before the competition in Qatar began, Enzo became an increasingly prominent figure in Argentina’s engine room, ultimately playing the entire 120 minutes of the nail-biting 3-3 final with France, which was eventually decided by penalties.

Fernandez won the tournament’s Best Young Player award and in the subsequent January transfer window completed a £107m transfer to Premier League club Chelsea.

Since then, Fernandez has developed from a deep-lying and tenacious defensive protector into an all-round midfielder, often operating as a No.8 or No.10 in Chelsea’s midfield and finishing the 2025/26 season with 15 goals at club level.

If Argentina are to become the first country to successfully defend the World Cup since their great rivals Brazil in 1962, the 25-year-old will play a crucial role.

GIVEMESPORT’s senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs held an exclusive interview with Fernandez, in which he discussed his move to Stamford Bridge and the now-infamous racism scandal involving a song directed towards the France national team.

As part of that discussion, the midfielder also revealed his thoughts on the 2022 World Cup, and his hopes for the 2026 edition in North America.

What Playing at World Cup 2022 was Really Like

Carl Recine via Reuters

Tell us about your first World Cup

“It meant so much to me on a personal level. It was my first World Cup. I felt so pleased to play in it first of all, and then to win it as well. It meant everything to me and the squad. It was a target that Argentina hadn’t achieved in many years and now we can’t wait for the next one.”

How did you feel making your debut?

“I was excited to make my competition debut and be able to tell my children or even grandchildren one day that I played at the World Cup. I finally fulfilled a longstanding dream. I felt so proud to represent my country at the World Cup.”

Was it a shock losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia?

“It was such a disappointing moment for us because we knew how important it was to kick off with a win, but we showed our togetherness as a squad and we spoke about it internally while staying focused on the clash against a tough Mexico side next. We couldn’t disappoint our families or everyone who came to Qatar to support us, especially after such a long flight, so that was our mentality. We discussed the loss internally, and then it all turned out for the best.”

What was it like to score your first World Cup goal against Mexico?

“It was my first World Cup goal. I never imagined actually doing that, so scoring that goal was such a thrill for me.”

Winning the World Cup Final

Paul Childs via Reuters

What do you remember about the World Cup final?

“It was a crazy World Cup final. It was an incredible game. We had it all under control until the 80th minute and then we saw what football is like and how everything can change in the blink of an eye. It was an emotional rollercoaster, so being part of it, playing in the game and winning was so exciting.”

How important was Emi Martinez’s save to deny Randal Kolo Muani late on?

“Emi Martínez saved us during a key passage of play in the game. He’d already shown his quality in other games. He was so important for us at the World Cup. He came to the rescue with just a few minutes left thanks to that historic save that will never be forgotten.”

Did you expect to win Young Player of the Year?

“I didn’t expect that award and didn’t even know it existed, so it was a big surprise to receive it during the final. I’m so proud to have won it because the best players take part in the World Cup, including youngsters, so I feel exceptionally proud. It was a unique moment because they called me up and I didn’t know which trophy I was going to receive. It was so strange for me. I remember the moment when they handed me the award as they also gave Messi the trophy for the best player at the World Cup and Emi Martínez received the Golden Glove. We all stood alongside each other. I have the trophy and my medal in my office.”

How has winning the World Cup changed you as a footballer?

“I’ve developed a lot individually. Regardless of winning the World Cup or not, you naturally develop in football. You keep improving and working on your weak points, so I certainly feel more mature and like more of a leader. I’ve been working on all that on a personal level and the club [Chelsea] gives me belief to implement that day-in, day-out. I’m happy with my role and hope to keep improving by showing what I’m doing in every training session with the passion that I transmit to my team-mates.”

What does it mean to be not just a World Cup winner, but also a Copa America champion?

“On a personal level, it means so much to win two major trophies with my country and to represent Argentina. As a boy, I always dreamed of winning something with the national team and getting to represent our people. Having done so at such a young age and being part of such big achievements is something for me, my family and the people who love me to be proud of. I’ll always want to win and compete for my country at the highest level.”

Doing it for Lionel Messi

Hannah McKay via Reuters

Were you intent on winning it for Messi?

“We were fully motivated because our team grew up watching Leo [Messi] at home on TV. Winning the World Cup with him was incredible and something that I’ll always carry with me in my heart.”

What was it like to be part of the celebrations with Lionel Messi?

“The World Cup means so much and even more so given that Argentina hadn’t won it in many years. We’d lost a final a few years earlier in 2014. We’d been fighting for it for many years and Messi had unfinished business. I’m so proud that I was able to share that moment with him and win the World Cup alongside him, knowing what it meant to him and all of us, of course. We all wanted to do it for him because it was the only sporting achievement missing for him.”

What makes Messi special?

“He’s different. He’s the greatest of all time, so it’s a privilege to share the dressing room with him. It’s a huge thing for me and I’m really enjoying it. I try to make the most of every moment spent with him. Of course, it made an impact on me because he’s always been my idol going back to my childhood and everything I’ve lived through. I always dreamed of playing with him, so he did make a big impression on me when I first saw him. As the years passed and I got to know him, it became more normal. He’s a great person and I’m so proud to share these moments with him.”

Has Messi given you any advice?

“No, we never speak about advice. We share moments together and we might speak about things outside of football, but he never gives me advice or anything like that.”

Enzo’s Hopes for World Cup 2026 and Beyond

Agustin Marcarian via Reuters

Can Argentina win the World Cup again?

“We’ll try to defend it and win it again, which is what this national team have to do. The Argentine people are so passionate and we always want more. Our mentality is that we deserve to defend our World Cup crown and have a great tournament, which means winning it. Winning the World Cup in 2022 is in the past now and we’re focused on what lies ahead. We know it could be Messi’s last World Cup, so we’ll be there to defend our crown from Qatar as a team. We’ll do our best to retain it.”

Do you dream of captaining Argentina one day?

“On a personal level, of course, I dream of captaining Argentina, but that decision doesn’t come down to me. It’s up to the coaching staff. Of course, I dream of being the Argentina captain. I don’t know when it might be. Time will tell and it’s up to the coaching staff to make the decision. It’s certainly one of my dreams and I’d be honoured to wear the captain’s armband.”